Slipper for ice ballet



Nov. 8, 1949 J. KENNY 2,487,247

SLIPRER FOR ICE BALLET Filed July 19, 1946 INVENTOR. JAMES KENNY A11 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED .STATES' PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in ballet slippers, and it relates particularly to an improvement in ballet slippers which renders them suitable for performing ballet on ice.

The conventional ballet slipper is provided with a sole formed of a strip of leather or similar material which has a scored shank portion imparting flexibility to the shank. The sole has a flat rear portion which forms the heel of the slipper. The toe of the slipper is usually made up of a plurality of layers of fabric secured to the sole, these layers being suitably reinforced, for example, with plaster of Paris in order to impart the rigidity required for supporting the toes in ballet dancing.

The upper of the slipper and the cover for the toe portion is usually formed of satin, silk, or other material to improve the appearance of the slipper.

Recently in ice shows, there has been a desire to utilize ballet steps and positions in the various acts or scenes of the ice show. Inasmuch as ice skates are required, the ability of the performer to execute the various steps and positions has been limited by his or her proficiency with skates. Moreover, the skates, being an extension of the shoe, have presented a rather unsightly appearance and, as a consequence, the full beauty of the ballet is not obtained. In some cases, when a ballet chorus is required, it has been necessary to provide a separate stage for the dances for the reason that the ordinary ballet slipper does not afford firm footing on the ice and, moreover, it cannot withstand the contact and wetting that result from dancing on the ice. Even a few minutes of dancing in the ordinary ballet slipper in contact with the ice will cause the slipper to become wet and will soften the hard toe of the slipper, thereby destroying its effectiveness and appearance.

An object of the present invention is to provide ballet slippers by means of which ballet may be performed directly on ice.

Another object of the invention is to provide slippers which are capable of preventing the performer from slipping while performing ballet on the ice and at the same time protecting the ballet slipper against damage by contact with the ice.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of typical forms of ballet slippers embodying the present invention.-

waterproof or Water-resisting toe-covering pertions which are provided with one or more icegripping spikes suitably located to prevent the performer from slipping on the ice and at the same time permitting the performer to execute the steps and movements commonly associated with ballet.

More particularly, I have provided a ballet slipper with a novel toe covering or toe cap portion preferably formed of light, strong metal which can be secured to the ballet slipper and is provided with one or more spikes by means of which a grip can be obtained on the ice. Preferably the toe cap is provided with a flattened portion extending across the toe of the slipper which aids the performer in maintaining his or her balance on the ice during spins and other movements. A spike extends at substantially a right angle to this flattened surface and is so positioned as to permit spinning or turning normally on the ice in the same manner that the performer would turn or spin on a dance floor.

The ballet slipper may further be provided with a small heel plate provided with one or more spikes which allow the dancer to let down onto the sole of the slipper as is customary in many ballet steps. These spikes may be of different size and form than the toe spike inasmuch as there is less danger of slipping with the entire slipper in contact with the ice than there is when the performer is balanced on the toe. Also, a plurality of spikes may be used on the sole of the slipper inasmuch as turning movements while the foot is flat are not used as frequently as when the performer is poised on the toes.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a typical ballet slipper having one form of toe cap embodying the present invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the toe cap illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of the toe cap; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a ballet slipper having a modified type of toe cap and heel plate applied thereto.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the form of toe cap embodying the invention chosen for purposes of illustration is shown as applied to a ballet slipper In which may be of conventional construction including a strip-like leather sole l I, a fabric or other suitable material upper l2 and a toe portion l3 which is formed in the usual way of a plurality of layers of reinforced. fabric.

Applied to the reinforced toe portion I3 of the slipper I is a toe cap member I4 of the type embodying the present invention. The toe cap member I4 preferably is formed of thin metal such as, for example, steel or other strong rigid material and is characterized by a generally cupshaped portion I5 adapted to receive the end of the toe portion I3 of the slipper. The cup-shaped portion I5 may take any desired configuration and, as illustrated; may be formed with a scalloped edge I6" for ornamental purposes. One edge of the toe cap portion I4 is provided with a lateral extension H which is adapted to extend beneath and be secured to the sole II of the slipper. As best shown in Figure 2, the extension I! may have a narrow midportion Ila-and two diverging lobes IIb and He, each provided with apertures I8 for receiving rivetsto'securethe extension I! to the sole of the slipper.

The base or end I9 of the cup-shaped member I5 preferably is fiat and substantially disk-shaped inorder to aid theperformer in maintaining his or her balance. The disk-like portion I9 may be provided with a central aperture 20 for receiving a screw to secure the cup-shaped portion I5 more firmly to the toe of the slipper I0.

In order to prevent the performer from slipping on the ice, the toe cap I4 is provided with a sharp spike 2| which is secured strongly, as by Welding or by swaging and welding, t0 the flattened portion I9' of the cap. As shown best in Figures 1 and 3, the spike ZI is located eccentrically with respect to, the toe cap I5 and is substantially in alignment with theaxis of the shoe and in alignment with the point efbalance of the performer wearing the shoe. For that reason, the spike 2| is positioned slightly above the center of the flat portion I9 and perpendicular thereto and is disposed substantially pa rallel with the extension I! in order that it will penetrate directly into the ice when the surface I9 is in contact with the ice.

The dimensions of the spike 2| may be varied considerably, depending to a large extent upon the size andwe ight of the performer. Very satisfactory results have been obtained with a spike which approximately three-eights of an inch long. and three-sixteenths of a.n inch in diameter at the base. The spike should taperto a sharp point so that it will, penetrate readily into the ice under the weig ht of the performer to allow the flattened portion I9 to come into contact with theice L V I ...T9 a .9, t e y e s b d above may be used satisfactorily on the ice only when the performer remains on his or her toes continuously whileon the ice, inasmuch as the sole of the shoe does not afford a good grip'on the ice. When it is desired to execute all of the steps of the ballet, it s .ne e s ry 9. nrev de add n ice-gripping means to p revent the performer from slipping. A typical ballet slipper which is provided with the necessary ice-gripping elements for use in all p s tiq pnihg i illu i e in Fi The slipper 30 illustrated in Figure 4 may be the same type as the slipper I0 described above and may be provided witha toecap 3|, similar to the top cap I4 also described above. The top cap 31 differs from the toe gap I4 in that it is provided with a plurality of small sharp spikes 32 on the extension 33 which engage the ice when the sole of the slipper engages the ice. This toe cap is also provided with a spike 34 like the spike 2I described. inaddition, the heel of the slipper 30 may be provided with a small metal plate 35 which is secured t6 the sole 36 by means of rivets 31 and is pro- 4 vided with at least one sharp spike 38 to permit the heel of the slipper to grip the ice.

The spikes 32 and 38 are considerably smaller and shorter than the spike 34 inasmuch as an adequate grip is afforded by such smaller spikes when the weight is resting on the sole of the slipper and, moreover, these spikes do not need to withstand the stresses exerted on the spike 34 due to the fact that gyrations and spins are not attempted with the slipper ina flat position on the ice.

It is preferred to have the toe cap I4 or 3I mounted exteriorly of the slipper for the reason that it affords protection against wear and also against wetting and damage to the slipper. However, if for appearance sake it is desirable to conceal the cap, it may be built into the slipper and covered with a waterproof and wear-resistant material which renders the toe cap relatively inconspicuous. Of course; the toe cap and the heel plate may be painted; lacquered or otherwise treated, if desired, to harmonize or contrast with the remainder of the slipper. Also, the toe cap need not be formed of metal, as'described' above, but may be formed of a reinforced plastic material in which the spike 21 or 34' is anclicred securely to prevent it from breaking loose from the cap. v

From the foregoing description of typical embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent that I have provided slippers and toe caps for slippers whereby ballet performances may be executed on ice as easily as on' the stage. More'- over, the cap device reduces the wear on the slippers, prevents them from becoming wetted by the ice or water thereon, and generally prolongs the life of the slippers.

It will be understood that the invention is susceptible to considerable modification, as indicated above, in the shape, arrangement and appearance of the toe caps and slippers having such toe caps thereon and, therefore, the forms of the invention described should be considered as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A ballet slipper for ice ballet performers comprising a slipper having a; substantially rigid toe portion, a rigid cap member at the outer end of said toe portion, and a single spike fixed rigidly to said cap member and projecting forwardly from the toe portion of said slipper, said spike being of such length as to penetrate completely into the ice under the weight of the performer and retain the latter against sliding.

2. A toe cap for ballet slippers for ice ballet comprising a cup-shaped member adapted to fit over the toe of a slipper and having a fiatsurface extending across the toe of said slipper, and a single sharp spike fixed rigidly to said member and projecting outwardly at substantially a right angle to said surface.

3. A toe cap for ballet slippers for ice ballet comprising a cup-shaped member having a substantially flat base adapted to fit the toe of a ballet slipper with said base extending across said toe, a spike projecting from said base at substantially a right angle thereto, an extension at one edge of said member adapted to be secured to the sole of said slipper and a plurality of ice-gripping spikes projecting outwardly from said extension.

4. A toe cap for ballet slippers for ice ballet comprising a cup-shaped member adapted to receive the toe portion of a ballet slipper, an

extension at one edge of said member adapted to engage the sole of said slipper, a flat portion on said cup-shaped member extending at substantially a right angle to said extension, and an ice-gripping spike projecting outwardly from said fiat portion.

5. A toe cap for ballet slippers for ice ballet comprising a cup-shaped member adapted to receive the toe portion of a ballet slipper, an extension at one edge of said member adapted to engage the sole of said slipper, a plurality of ice-gripping spikes projecting outwardly from said extension, at flat portion on said cup-shaped member extending at substantially a right angle to said extension, and an ice-gripping spike projecting outwardly from said flat portion.

6. A ballet slipper for ice ballet comprising a ballet slipper having a reinforced toe portion, a single sharp spike rigidly mounted on said reinforced toe portion and projecting outwardly from said toe portion substantially in alignment with the longitudinal axis of said slipper.

7. A ballet slipper for ice ballet comprising a ballet slipper having a reinforced toe portion and a sole extending from the toe portion to the heel of the slipper, a single ice-gripping spike extending forwardly from said reinforced toe portion, and a plurality of ice-gripping spikes extending downwardly from said toe portion and from said sole adjacent to said heel.

JAMES KENNY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

